Pro-Chancellors of Federal Universities ordereduniversities across the country to re-open

The ASUU strike in 2013 continues and the
latest update is that the Committee of Pro-
Chancellors of Federal Universities ordered
universities across the country to re-open,
defying the teacher’s union.
The strike has appeared to come close to
ending numerous times over the past several
weeks, but it has not.

The union voted to end the strike over the
weekend—but attached three new conditions to
the vote which superseded what was agreed
upon in a meeting a week ago between union
leadership and President Goodluck Jonathan.
Minister of Education Nyesom Wike, after
hearing about the conditions, called them
“outrageous.”
Now the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of
Federal Universities in a communique told
universities across Nigeria to re-open, even
though the ASUU has not called off the strike.
The decision was unanimously agreed by all
Pro-Chancellors in the interest of the country,
the committee said. It directed all Vice-
Chancellors to comply with the decision.
The committee also recognized the efforts of
President Jonathan and government officials to
end the strike, calling the president’s actions a
“bold and supportive intervention.” The
committee also noted that the union itself voted
60 to 40 to end the strike.
“The communique explained that the
committee’s decision was based on the
negative impact the strike had had on the
university system, students and the parents,”
reported PM News Nigeria . “It, however,
appealed for the understanding from the
leadership and members of ASUU to ensure
speedy restoration of academic activities on
campuses.”
The move comes amid reports that at least two
universities already re-opened this week
without union consent. President Jonathan
said several weeks ago that the universities
would re-open if the ASUU would not end the
strike, according to sources.
At the same time, it’s unclear how much
authority the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of
Federal Universities has, and whether its order
will be followed. It could be followed by some
universities but ignored by others.